The concern with cheese lies in the pasteurization and healthfulness of the food. Pasteurization is the heat treatment of foods that eliminates any harmful bacteria. Some cheeses are not pasteurized and thus may contain a harmful bacteria known as listeria. Velveeta is safe to eat, though you should consider its fat and calorie content.
Listeria
Un-pasteurized cheeses can carry listeria, which causes listeriosis. Upon exposure, your body might begin to exhibit signs that resemble the flu. With prompt treatment, listeria can cured and have no effect on your fetus. If left untreated, you risk a miscarriage, premature delivery, a fetal infection or even fetal death. Most cheeses that are not pasteurized are soft cheeses including feta, brie, Camembert, Roquefort and gorgonzola.
Velveeta
Velveeta cheese is a cheese product produced by Kraft. This product is fully pasteurized, made with pasteurized milk, so it should be perfectly safe for consumption during pregnancy. Velveeta cheese contains milk, water, whey, milk protein, milkfat, whey protein concentrate and sodium phosphate as its main ingredients.
Healthfullness
Now you know that Velveeta is safe to eat, but how healthy is it? During pregnancy, you must pay attention to the overall healthfulness of your diet and your weight gain. Eating foods such as processed cheeses can lead to an excessive intake of fat and calories. Your body only needs about 300 extra calories during pregnancy. Eating too many calories can cause too much weight gain, which can be bad for you and your baby. Too much weight can result in early childbirth or an overly large baby. For you, gaining too much weight increases your risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, aches and pains and fatigue. Velveeta cheese contains 85 calories, 6 g of saturated fats and 22 mg of cholesterol in a 1 oz. serving.
Benefits
Eating Velveeta cheese, in moderation, does come with some benefits. During pregnancy your calcium needs increase to between 1,000 and 1,500 mg per day. Though you might be taking prenatal vitamins, they do not provide all of the calcium you need. Calcium is necessary for the proper growth and development of your child. Eating cheese can help you get the calcium you and your baby need. One ounce of Velveeta cheese contains 130 mg of calcium.
References
- American Pregnancy Association; Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy; November 2007
- American Pregnancy Association; Listeria and Pregnancy; 2011
- Dairy Science and Technology: Pasteurization
- March Of Dimes: Weight Gain During Pregnancy
- American Pregnancy Association; Weight Gain During Pregnancy; 2011
- "Mayo Clinic Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy"; Roger W. Harms, M.D.; 2004
